To celebrate the 85th birthday of Adrienne Rich and to honor her legacy throughout the month of May, browse this great American poet’s books in the Graduate Research Collection in the East Tower of the Herman B Wells Library. No need to be discouraged by all the ongoing construction on the first floor of the East Tower. To access these selected primary writings that are considered Rich’s most significant contributions to the canon of American literature, simply ignore the temporary unsightliness of the construction site, and take the elevator (or stairs) to the 10th floor of the East Tower to locate these books in the “PS” call number range. Note, however, that A Change of World (1951) and The Will to Change (1971) are viewable in the Lilly Library reading room, or are accessible from the Auxiliary Library Facility (ALF) through the “Request This” option on IUCAT.

The titles recommended here are available in print format only. As library materials become increasingly digitized, or as their availability becomes increasingly restricted to electronic format only (as in the case of born digital publications), the unique tactile experience of handling print editions of significant literary works is rapidly evolving into an exceptional rarity for the casual library user. That’s why now is the chance to check these out while they are easily accessible in the graduate research stacks of the Wells Library. Celebrate the rarity of the tactile print edition experience; boast to your family and friends that you actually know how to access print materials via Library of Congress call numbers, and say “Happy Birthday” to Adrienne Rich this beautiful month of May!